We imagine a future where empowered communities shape the food systems that nurture their health and well-being, and sustain thriving ecosystems.
Institute for Sustainable Food Systems
Our Mission:
We engage in multidisciplinary applied research and extension to cultivate sustainable regional food systems that advance the food sovereignty goals of diverse communities.
ISFS is an applied research and extension unit at KPU that investigates and supports regional food systems as key elements of sustainable communities. We focus predominantly on British Columbia but also extend our programming to other regions.
Our applied research focuses on the potential of regional food systems in terms of agriculture and food, economics, community health, policy, and environmental integrity.
Our extension programming provides information and support for farmers, communities, businesses, policymakers, and others. Community collaboration is central to our approach.
To understand more about who we are and our work, read our ISFS infographics and our 2021-2025 strategic plan here.
News at the ISFS
The ISFS facilitated a regional farmer dialogue, in Dec 2023, to document the scope and scale of drought impacts experienced by farmers in the Comox Valley and to identify their priorities for research, extension and coordinated action to build drought resilience.
This discussion is summarized here:
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The ISFS has launched its YouTube Channel!
Our KPU Institute for Sustainable Food Systems YouTube channel is now up and running! The channel will host our past webinars and research-related videos.
Be sure to visit and subscribe to stay up to date with our new content!
The Future of B.C.'s Food System
In July 2019, the province of British Columbia appointed the B.C. Food Security Task Force - based on a commitment made in the 2019 Throne Speech. The Task Force has a mandate to provide recommendations on how to apply agri-technologies (“agritech”) to enhance agricultural productivity, economic competitiveness and sustainability ; grow the emerging agritech sector in B.C. as a standalone economic sector ; and support the objectives of CleanBC through the adoption of technologies and practices that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase access to fresh, healthy food and stimulate local economic activity.
In January 2020, the Task Force released findings and recommendations from their work entitled The Future of B.C.'s Food System. The Task Force advances recommendations for agritech-centred approach to sustainably increase domestic food production, eradicate food security and hunger, and increase economic prosperity and competitiveness of B.C.'s agriculture sector.
While we believe that technology has a role to play in the development of sustainable food systems, we also strongly believe that it should not be viewed as a silver bullet for the food system. In our Response to the Findings and Recommendations of the BC Food Security Task Force, we present information that was overlooked in the report, as well as perspectives that call into question the extent to which agritech can, or should, be relied upon to contribute to, and shape our food system future in British Columbia.
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